Led by musical director Scotty Barnhart, the Count Basie Orchestra keeps Basie’s unmistakable style alive and thriving around the world. In the great traction of the Basie Swings albums comes this explosive album of collaborations with some of the greatest living blues and jazz artists, Basie Swings The Blues. In preparation for these sessions, Barnhart took a pilgrimage to the Mississippi Delta to immerse himself in the land where blues began. The resulting album is joyful mix of downhome blues with the deep swing and sophistication that only The Count Basie Orchestra can provide. As Count Basie famously once said, “our blues will make your blues go away.” Produced by Barnhart along with Grammy-winning producer John Burk (Ray Charles Genius Love Company), and Grammy-winning drummer/producer Steve Jordan (The Rolling Stones), the album brings together Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, Keb’ Mo’, Shemekia Copeland, Robert Cray, Charlie Musselwhite, Betty LaVette, Ledisi, George Benson, and others to bring the blues and swing back together for a set that jumps and jives with an energy not heard since Louis Jordan and T-Bone Walker lit up stages in the ’40s and ’50s. 1. Let’s Have A Good Time - Featuring Mr. Sipp 2. Boogie In The Dark - Featuring Bobby Rush 3. I’m A Woman - Featuring Buddy Guy, Shemekia Copeland, & Charlie Musselwhite 4. Down Home Blues - Featuring Keb’ Mo’ & Lauren Mitchell 5. Stormy Monday - Featuring Bettye LaVette 6. The Midnight Hour - Featuring Robert Cray 7. Dirty Mississippi Blues - Featuring Mr. Sipp 8. The Patton Basie Shuffle 9. Evil Gal Blues - Featuring Ledisi 10. Look What You’ve Done - Featuring Jamie Davis 11. Just For A Thrill - Featuring Carmen Bradford 12. Rock Candy - Featuring George Benson.
Jazz master Chick Corea’s unconventional vision of a classical performance shines through in his interaction with the Orchestra da Camera Della Sardegna, turning the acclaimed chamber orchestra into a large-scale jazz ensemble. His unorthodox approach adds a touch of playfulness to the Mozart & Gershwin pieces performed while upholding Corea’s obvious reverence for their music. His joyous fusion sets the tone for the musicians and the audience, creating a truly captivating and boundary- pushing experience. The recording captures the essence of Corea’s musical vision, his appreciation for classical traditions, and his undeniable genius as a performer and improviser. It stands as a testament to his lasting influence and his eternal quest to push the boundaries of music. Through his work as a composer and a performer, he sought to bridge the gap between genres, embracing the universality and enduring power of classical music. Corea realized this ambition fully during this live performance as was eager to release the recording as an album that would inspire jazz and classical music lovers equally. 1. Mozart Intro 1:31 2. Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24 In C Minor, K.491: I. Allegro 19:51 3. Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24 In C Minor, K.491: II. Larghetto 7:58 4. Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24 In C Minor, K.491: III.Allegretto 13:49 5. Gershwin Intro 1:24 6. Someone To Watch Over Me 6:42 7. Rhapsody In Blue 26:10.
The Bebble Rock virtuoso Kabaka Pyramid released his sophomore album, 'The Kalling,' produced by Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley. The fifteen-track masterpiece features some of the reggae icon's most frequent collaborators like Damian Marley, Protoje, Black Am I, Jesse Royal, and new collaborators like Buju Banton and Stephen Marley. This second installment in Kabaka's album discography is a symphony of songs that make a musical statement about the evolution of his craft.The name "Kabaka" is Ugandan for "King." The long-lasting survival of the Pyramids of ancient Africa represent his desire for longevity in music and deep connection to Kemetic roots; leaving messages for generations to come. He is known for songs like Warrior, Well Done which focused keenly on local systemic issues and Reggae Music that took on a life of it's own. His debut album Kontraband was met with critical acclaim, containing hits such as Kontraband featuring Damian Marley and Kaught Up with a popular music video that debuted on BET.His recent singles: Make Things Work and Red, Gold and Green, featuring Damian Marley, Grateful, featuring Jemere Morgan, and the title track The Kalling, featuring Stephen Marley, were the four leads for this new album.The album features production from Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Young Pow and Kabaka Pyramid, another tradition carried over from the previous album. Providing a sufficient platform for Kabaka to update listeners about his growth since his first album. The production highlights the richness of Reggae music, from the keen perfection of percussion and bass to the sampling of iconic songs of Junior Byles in Faded Away, featuring Buju Banton; Peter Tosh in Mystic Man; or Eddie Fitzroy in EZ Ride."The Kalling is really about my journey in music being for a higher purpose, not just to get rich or popular, but to inspire a higher vibration in whoever listens" says Kabaka Pyramid. "While the majority seek pleasure and sense gratification, there are a few who the Most High kall [sic] upon to keep the balance inna [sic] earth. Music is what I use to answer the kall and you can feel it throughout this album."The album is the winner of the best reggae album at the 2023 Grammy's.
German nu jazz stalwarts Micatone continue their comeback journey with Ping Pong, the follow up to the ethereal and emotionally charged coming-of-age piece, Where Do You Belong? The core duo of the band, Boris Meinhold on guitar and synths and Lisa Bassenge on vocals, have been making music for the label for over two decades, with five studio albums and numerous singles to date. Like many women, Lisa suffers from severe Premenstrual Syndrome, or PMS, but hers is particularly pronounced as it’s coupled with a form of ADHD. The song’s lyrics, and title, reflect on methods of coping with the symptoms that arise due to her “neurotransmitters playing ping pong” in her brain. The song itself has something of a moody 60’s latin-jazz feel with obscure samples and subtle electronics doing just enough to counteract the retro ambience. The driving force throughout (aside from Lisa’s heartfelt vocal) is a guitar recorded through an old telephone receiver and the beats programmed by Stefan Leisering. The Jazzanova producer’s drum track remains somewhat understated though, and leaves ample room for Lisa’s vocal to shine, whilst also giving off something of a 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover touch.
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